Mars coming into focus; band to return to Amarillo on Friday

The stars - or at least some musical notes - are coming into alignment for rock band Mars & The Massacre.

The Los Angeles rockers - who'll return to Amarillo for a 9:30 p.m. show Friday with Chooch at Leftwood's, 2511 S.W. Sixth Ave. - are finding a more defined sound, drummer/bassist/singer Peter Doherty said.

"Where our first material was all over the place, (new album 'Basset Case') will have more focus, be more put together, have a more meticulous sound to it," Doherty said.

"Basset Case" will expand on the band's fascination with the psychedelic sound of classic influences like Pink Floyd and David Bowie along with more contemporary bands like Tame Impala and The Flaming Lips, Doherty said.

And the band's shows are "going to be a lot bigger," he said - a hefty promise from a band already selected by LA Weekly as the city's best live band in 2014.

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"We think playing live is one of the best things about being in a band, so we take it really seriously," Doherty said. "We want to put on a show instead of just being a band playing songs."

Cover charge is $5.

For information, call 806-367-9840 or visit www.marsandthemassacre.com.